COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Click here to see how The Timber Group are staying Covid-19 secure.

The risks identified in this assessment can only be considered adequately controlled if all identified control measures are put in place and their use is enforced. Site Managers are responsible for ensuring that all necessary action has been taken and that all required controls are in place.

This risk assessment covers the generic controls that are in place across The Timber Group sites. In addition, each location has a site-specific risk assessment in place which can be provided on request.

Hazards

 Transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) via:

• Colleagues infected by virus spreading virus to other colleagues, customers and visitors at the site
• Colleagues infected by virus spreading virus to customers on delivery
• Customers and visitors infected by virus spreading virus to colleagues, customers and visitors at the site
• Customer infected by virus spreading virus to colleague on delivery
• Items carrying COVID-19 virus entering the business such as returned items
• The effects of COVID-19 on those colleagues who are classed as clinically vulnerable

Those at Risk

• All the Timber Group colleagues, employees of other group businesses sharing branch/site facilities
• Customers and other visitors
• Suppliers
• Contractors carrying out work on the premises

Control Measures in Place

• All colleagues have been instructed that they must not attend work if they or a member of their household is showing symptoms of COVID-19
• Any colleague with symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested for COVID-19
• Customers and visitors have been instructed that they must not attend a The Timber group branches if they or a member of their household is showing symptoms of COVID-19
• Colleagues are working from home where possible
• All colleagues have been trained in new COVID-19 safe operating procedures
• Strict 2 metre distancing is enforced at all sites and on deliveries. This is supported by signage, barriers and floor markings
• Contactless procedures have been implemented for collections, customer deliveries and supplier deliveries to prevent the transferring of paperwork between people
• All supplier deliveries must be pre booked with the branch to limit the number of vehicles in the branch
• Access to the branch has been restricted to customers and supplier drivers
• Access to communal facilities such as the kitchen and toilets have been restricted to one colleague at a time
• Perspex screens have been installed at active counter terminals.
• Office layouts have been reviewed to ensure 2 metre spacing between desks
• Cleaning and handwashing procedures are in place in line with the government COVID secure guidance
• Hand sanitiser has been provided to colleagues and placed around the branches
• Strict processes are in place to limit the number of customers on site at any one time to ensure social distancing can be maintained
• Branches are not accepting cash at this time
• Enhanced cleaning procedures/rotas are in place for kitchen worksurfaces, door handles, toilets, including any items staff touch (coffee & tea Jars Kettles Microwaves) Wipe down desks, workstations and equipment- particularly all “high traffic” areas and items that are regularly used, (calculators, staplers, printers and photocopiers)
• New social distancing and hygiene procedures have been developed for the external sales team to be implemented once it has been deemed safe for them to attend customer sites
• Support for mental wellbeing is available for colleagues via Lifeworks
• All customers will be required to sanitise their hands prior to entering a branch
• Colleagues have been allocated vehicles and forklift trucks to prevent transfer from touch points
• Hot desking and the sharing of computers has been stopped
• Clinically extremely vulnerable colleagues remain shielded as per the government guidance
• Clinically vulnerable colleagues have been given the option to return to work and where they have returned, their work location has been made as safe as possible to reduce infection risks
• Number of colleagues present at office locations has been restricted to ensure social distancing
• Other regular visitors such as Supplier Representatives have been requested not to visit any branches at this time
• Rubbish bins to be emptied regularly in Kitchens and toilets
• All touch points like door handles phones counters FLT & vehicle controls & keys to be sprayed and disinfected.

Site Specific Control Measures

• All sites have completed a documented site-specific risk assessment prior to reopening. This is reviewed regularly with the team working at the site to ensure that all control measures in place are effective

Supervision and Monitoring

• Branch Managers complete regular site walk rounds to check that control measures are in place
• Additional monitoring is conducted during visits by Directors/Managers and members of the Health and Safety Team